The Musafir

Cikahuripan; Candrawulon Inn

After finishing breakfast with just a few cookies, Mantingan and Rara continued on their way to Kanoman.

As they walked for half a day, Mantingan realized that the distance he estimated on the map was very different from the reality.

During the day, Mantingan found several letters Pallawa on the stone bearing the name of a village located not far from there. The village was named Cikahuripan, a village within Kuningan.

Mantang patted his forehead, apparently he had not even left Kuningan. Maybe the distance between Kuningan and Kanoman looks very short on the map, but really the distance for it is very far.

Mantingan intended to stop by the village and asked one of the villagers about the fast direction to Kanoman, but this time he did not just bring his own body. Rara is also his responsibility.

"Rara, do you want to stop by at Cikahuripan?"

"My soul is up to you." Rara answered briefly, but it was understandable by Mantingan that Rara wanted to rest in the village.

"Then, we'll go there. Cikahuripan Village shouldn't be too far from here."

They walked on until they found a path and stones bearing other Pallawa letters. The writings also seem more beautiful, of course, who carved it is an accomplished sculptor. A sign that the village has a high level of education.

Several times Mantingan saw merchants passing in the same direction as him, or some joking farmer carrying a hoe or fresh grass on his shoulders.

Shortly after that, Mantingan began to see the gate not far ahead there. The gate was towering quite high with a gray color, as color with rocks. A wall of red brick as high as one fathom surrounded the village. While two statues of Dvarapala that looks like guarding the village, located on two sides of the gate.

Not many people passed through the gate, but it seemed like the atmosphere was more crowded in the village.

After the two of them pass through the gate, then the whole view will lead to a beautiful expanse of housing not a reed of the kepalang.

Unlike in other villages, the houses in Cikahuripan village are thick with worship. Almost the entire building is made of red or gray brick, like a temple. There is also a hermitage place and a burning place on the terrace. Small bells sounded several times from various directions, a sign of people doing worship.

"Do you know where to stay in this village, Rara?"

"I've never been to this place before, but looking from its present state, then there should be plenty of lodging here."

Mantian nodded. Rara had to recuperate first in a place that would have been quiet and comfortable enough. The only quiet and comfortable place here was a nice room in the inn.

Because Mantingan felt that the father of Rara had saved him, also because he felt that he had created all the problems in Kuningan, then Mantingan willing to spend a lot of money for the healing of the inner Rara. Although it may not be much, but Mantingan hopes it can be considered as returning the favor and redeeming his mistakes.

Mantingan asked a merchant walking beside him about the direction to the inn. The merchant kindly explained the direction towards the inn in detail. Mantingan smiled warmly and thanked the merchant deeply before inviting Rara to move towards the inn.

The inn is not the only one in Cikahuripan. But, the inn is what if better than other lodging. Located on the west side of the village, Mantingan and Rara pass through other housing and a market that is not too crowded before they get to the designated place.

The form of the inn made Mantingan quite impressed. The inn forms a kind of complex, not just one large building. He has a gate and a statue in front of him. While in it there are many buildings that form the form of houses, the size of the houses is almost uniform. The field in the place has been coated by short grass, which keeps the feet clean even though stepping barefoot.

"Mantingan, perhaps we mistakenly thought that this was the inn that the seller had appointed." Rara said half a whisper.

"Not wrong, here's the inn. Look at that." Mantingan pointed to the writing printed on the archway. "The name of this inn is appropriate, isn't it? His name is Candrawulon, according to the narration of the merchant."

"But this ...."

"Mara ...." Manten smiled at him, then continued, "this is the best place for you."

A female servant who had come out of nowhere immediately welcomed Mantingan and Rara. Manten was of course surprised by his presence which could be quite strange, but the young maid gestured not to make a scene.

"If Mister and Puan are going to book a room, let's follow the peril."

Mantingan nodded and followed the servant's path leading him to the largest building among all the buildings in the Candrawulon inn. The mantan went inside, where the door of the building was wide open and there were many people waiting in it.

The room was filled with long benches, some potted plants, and statues of artistic value. However, the most striking was the long and large reception table in the middle of the room, many people lined up in front of that table.

"Master and Master can choose anyone who will be a representative to wait for their turn, the rest please wait on the bench that we have provided. I beg myself."

The coat nodded slowly before the female servant left. He then turned to Rara and said that Rara could sit on any bench as long as it was not far from his sight.

After that the mantingan stood in the back row which was actually not too long. It didn't take long, the Mantingan had obtained two rooms that each cost two pieces of gold.

The room they get is actually not worthy of being called a room, it would be nice if it is referred to as a house. Each of Mantingan and Rara gets one room, or one house.

"Are they not too big?" Rara gave an anxious opinion as Mantingan invited her to walk out.

"Not too big for two young people, is it?"

Rara understood Mantingan's intentions and could only nod slowly.

Mantingan rental house next to Rara rental house. He deliberately ordered a distance close together to keep watching and guarding Rara.

When Rara entered his house, Mantingan preferred to relax on the terrace of his house. He sat on a bamboo couch that had been prepared. Either Mantingan see what, but the atmosphere in that place is much more comfortable than the urban atmosphere that tends to be crowded. Mantingan can get the composure to think more clearly about the plans for tomorrow.

***

That afternoon. A servant lady came to Mantingan who was still sitting on the couch. The mantan immediately regained his senses from his daydream as the servant greeted him.

"Day is approaching night, do you need anything?"

The mantle shook slowly, nothing needed.

"Eat dinner for example? Is there anything else that's really different?" ask again with a little wink.

Mantingan looks to think for a moment and then nods. "Please prepare dinner for the house next to me too, where there is a woman who is my friend. You can just pay me."

"Alright, I understand and I beg you ...."

"Wait." Manting. "Where can I buy clothes for women?"

"Master can buy it at the market, which happens to be open tonight because the weekend has arrived." The woman slightly flushed her face. "Master is really understanding to women, huh?"

The mantan almost choked on his own saliva when the servant dared to ask him such a thing. He simply shook his head and waved with an awkward smile on his face, then that was how the female servant turned away.